Kerala Drive Plan - Queries

Ooty is like a township these days and according to me very boring - lot of pollution. Wayanad will be superb this time around - Especially Banasura dam, the tea estates, Chembra peak and a drive to Thirunelly temple (deep inside forest) will be awesome.

Option 3 seems to be hectic but doable. You should be prepared for painful drive from Bangalore to Cochin (It is good till Coimbatore).

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Yes. That's why if I can cover good distance on Day 1, I've thought of proceeding beyond Bangalore to Krishnagiri atleast and halt there for the night.

Also, Day 2 Bangalore to Cochin....actually the way I see it is that Cochin is not the destination on this day, the journey is the Destination ! (Would be going thro' Valaparai & Athirapilly falls route & I'm told that the route is beautiful).

But I've a doubt. I think we'll have to reach Athirapilly Falls latest by 5 pm. If we spend one hour at Valaparai, then we'll have to reach Valaparai by 2 pm. What time should we need to start from Bangalore so as to reach Valaparai by 2 pm ?

From Athirapilly, I might not go all the way to Cochin and may halt for the night just before Cochin at Angamaly.

It's getting too tight. I might need to cover more on Day 1 which in itself is stretched (Mumbai to Bangalore/ Krishnagiri).

I still feel Option 3 can be tweaked better because you are doing same circuit while returning as well. From Bangalore, you can hit Mysore/Masinagudi/Wayanad and then Cochin/Munnar followed by Alleppey.

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I know. But the problem is fixed reservation at Munnar on Day 4 & 5. I tried to use all permutations/ combinations of coming by Wayanad/ Masinagudi etc but most permutations failed in the requirement of reaching Munnar on Day 4.

- Give Masinagudi and Mysore amiss
- Between Ooty and Wayanad. Ooty can bowl you over at this time of the year.

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I've almost decided to drop Masinagudi & increase one more day at Wayanad instead. And so also Mysore, which I may still do if there is a day spare in return journey (Mysore would be the last stop in return)

"Ente Veedu" is an excellent homestay in Wayanadu - you can search in Google and get the website. You can call the host and get rooms booked. "Akash" is a good room to stay which has an open balcony opening to paddy fields. It has a private balcony towards coffee/pepper plantation as well. It will be Rs. 3000 per day. I had stayed there 3 times. The host Seetha will be able to help you with places to see or message me and I can help you.

But I've a doubt. I think we'll have to reach Athirapilly Falls latest by 5 pm. If we spend one hour at Valaparai, then we'll have to reach Valaparai by 2 pm. What time should we need to start from Bangalore so as to reach Valaparai by 2 pm ?

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The route from Pollachi-Valparai-Athirapalli-Chalakkudi is beautiful. No doubt about it but will take lot of time driving as it is all ghat section. I once started from Guruvayur at 10 AM and reached Valparai at 5.30 PM with 2 hrs break at Athirapalli. The route was Guruvayur-Thrissur-Chalakudi-Athirapalli-Valparai.

Such routes can be done only if you drive. That's why decided to stretch with a Drive Plan instead of Flight & then hire-a-cab there.
But it'll be a stretched drive plan & will have to bear with following quote from you....

......but will take lot of time driving as it is all ghat section. I once started from Guruvayur at 10 AM and reached Valparai at 5.30 PM with 2 hrs break at Athirapalli. The route was Guruvayur-Thrissur-Chalakudi-Athirapalli-Valparai.

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Back calculations suggest that I'll have to leave Mumbai by 4.00 AM on Day 1 & stretch till Krishnagiri - almost 1100 kms, even if I reach by 8 - 9 PM, it'll do. As a single driver, this would turn out to be my longest drive at a stretch (there were longer drives during Leh trip, but I had my bro who shared the driving wheel).

But another school of thought is that there are a couple of hill-stations we're already covering (Munnar, Wayanad....), hence why not Masinagudi for Wildlife (do a jungle safari there) - we're not covering any other wild life locations like Thekkady / Periyar

EDIT:

It is safe to travel with family (2 kids) thro' Valparai & Athirapilly route.....Right? or is there any safety concern?

There are food options (may be average) available at Valparai around the bus station. Shouldn't be an issue.

If you feel you have enough time after spending time at Athirapalli, you can head to Cochin itself instead of breaking at Angamali. Do not stretch your time beyond 6pm at Athirapalli. The route from Valparai to Athirapalli is safe. Anyway you will be driving during the day time only.

Munnar/Wayanad are not proper high altitude hill-stations like Ooty and Kodaikanal. The weather will be too cold in Ooty during December. For wildlife, you can plan for safari around Tholpetty and Thirunelly forests in Wayanad. Just that you will have to plan your stay around this area. There are nice resorts available too. Thirunelly forests are just awesome and one of my favorite place.

^^
Confirmed. Masinagudi is out. One more day added to Wayanand making it 2 days. And Ooty is confirmed. Club Mahindra Ooty booked (someone seems to have cancelled)

Now, I need help in places to visit at each location. Done some research but there are so many places at each locations and I've a limitation of time available (every location is either for 1 or 2 days) & got confused which ones to select and which ones to skip.

Pls suggest Top places to visit at following places. I've also mentioned duration available for sight-seeing at each location. If you know, pls also do not hesitate to mention any speciality like a food joint (Veg) or a local speciality.

Cochin - 1 day (previous day is travel thro Valparai & Athirapilly)
Munnar - 2 days (1.5 day as 1st half day will get spent in reaching Munnar)
Alleppey - 0.5 Day (May reach at noon)
Wayanad - 1.5 day (1st half day in travel)
Ooty - 1 day
Mysore - 1 day

I seriously doubt if you can do Alleppey-Wayanad in half day unless you start very early from Alleppey. Kerala roads are small and have heavy traffic too and you have to drive 300+ kms from Alleppey to Wayanad. And do remember that Wayanad is not a place but a district in Kerala. Not all places in Wayanad are exotic. There are over crowded towns too like Kalpetta, Sunthan Bathery. Wayanad is best enjoyed only if you stay away from these places. I personally prefer to stay in the area of Thirunelly forests, Tholpetty or Kattikulam.

Alappuzha(Alleppey) to Wayanad will take ~8hrs, according to me. May be you can try Alappuzha->Kochi->Thrissur->Kunnamkulam->Kuttippuram->Kottakkal->Ramanattukara->Kozhikkode->Wayanad. Kochi->Thrissur is four lane and traffic should be OK post Aluva. But you will have to watch your speed - you may be caught if you try beyond 80kmph.

Also, climbing ghats section in between Kozhikkode and Wayanad (Thamarassery churam/ghats) will take ~1hr. If you stay in north Wayanad, advise you to take Kalpetta bypass.

In Wayand though, I will recommend a trek to Chembra more than anything - that is the best experience you can get in Wayanad.
A stay in Banasura Hill Resort will be best stay you can get in Wayanad - this resort is on a hill facing Dam's catchment area.
Places to avoid - Kuruva Island, Edakkal Caves - highly crowded. As ramjn suggeted, a drive to Thirunelly temple at morning is highly recommended (drive around 6am-7am, you can spot elephants here).

I'm from Palakkad, Kerala and I stay in the middle of greenery and I rarely get impressed by greenery. So, I will say that Wayanad has places to entertain you to the fullest - but obviously, stay away from towns. Ooty is my dearest hill station and I'm deeply pained about the pollution in Ooty. Choose places away from the town - you will enjoy.